There are a number of seemingly innocuous items in a laboratory that serve some truly astounding purposes.
Far too often, people will take for granted the equipment that is present in a laboratory and what it does.
In many instances, rather small devices that rest upon a shelf are performing tasks that would have otherwise been next to impossible to deliver in another generation.
Such is the case with pycnometers which are able to define the specifics of density or volume in a near instantaneous fashion.
For most laboratories, the ability to arrive at accurate measurements in an expedited amount of time is critical for the function of the lab.
When such information is procured quickly and, more importantly, accurately, the lab can move on to the pressing matters of its prime purpose.
This is where pycnometers are so helpful.
When issues surrounding density or volume are raised, it is this device that delivers on the requisite information.
How is this achieved? There are a few ways in which pycnometers are employed to measure volume and density.
In general, they work around the concept of displacing a gas or liquid so as to measure the volume of the substance that has been effectively displaced.
This yields the end result of the particulars of the volume or density that is needed for review.
This certainly makes the entire process sound rather easy.
Well, it is most definitely not an overly difficult or cumbersome process.
However, it is not a process that is performed flippantly or without any careful attention to the steps needed to arrive at the desired result.
But, due to the streamlined design of pycnometers, the number of steps required for their operation is minimal.
Also, much of the measurement is performed automatically by the device.
This increases the odds that the end result will be one that is most assuredly as close to accurate as possible.
The process of using these devices is broken down into three steps.
These are not overly complicated steps and they are intended to reduce the potential for errors in the actual measurement process.
The first step to employ will deal with measuring the empty device.
Then, it becomes necessary to take the steps required to fill the device with water in order to gain a reference measurement.
The third and final step employed deals with filling the device with the actual material or substance that is to be used in the actual experiment.
From this, proper measurement of the substance is undertaken.
Comparing the various weights and results from all three steps allow the lab technicians operating the pycnometers to come to a conclusion regarding the complete accuracy of the results.
Yes, it really is as simple as that although a clear understanding of what the results reflect is necessary on the part of the technician.
Again, you cannot rely exclusively on the device to understanding the readouts.
So, pycnometers serve a great value and purpose to the operation of lab experiments.
That is why their inclusion in a lab is so vital to the labs primary function and operation.